[17] Solution process in Cyprus should pick up from where Talat left
off2. From the Turkish Press of 07, 08 and 09 May 2010

President Dervis Eroglu has determined the delegation that will be
taking place by his side at the Cyprus negotiations table and said that
the first meeting to take place on the 26th of May between himself and
the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias will focus on property.
He also said that he will be sitting at the negotiation table with the
reality that there are two peoples on the island.

President Dervis Eroglu made the statement while he participated on a
televised program on Bayrak Radio and Televisions first Channel.

Eroglu announced that he has chosen Doctor Kudret Ozersay as his
special Representative to the negotiations team and New York
Representative Kemal Gokeri will also be a part of the negotiation
team. He also gave news that he was thinking about allocating retired
Undersecretary Osman Ertug as the Presidential spokesman.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side has started a campaign trying to
show himself as being against a solution whereas they themselves did
not support a solution being found to the Cyprus problem, Mr Eroglu
said I am focusing on the duty the people have given me and will
conduct the negotiations process in a sincerely fashion.

Upon being reminded of the Greek Cypriot attempts at blocking the
direct trade regulation, President Eroglu said he had sent letters to
political party leaders in the European Parliament to explain the
realities on the island and to remind them of the promises they had
given to the Turks of Cyprus. I will be bringing this issue to the
negotiations table, he added.

The President also gave news that he will start his work towards
established a National Council and a Public Council as of this Monday.

In addition, reporting on the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan
newspaper (09.05.10) reports that a great part of the negotiating team
of Mr Eroglu became known. According to the paper, academician Dr
Kudret Ozersay will take the place of Ozdil Nami. In addition, Kemal
Gokeri, who was TRNC representative in New York and lawyer Oguzhan
Hasipoglu, son of the Ertugrul Hasipoglu MP with the Democratic Party,
will also participate in the negotiation team. The paper further writes
that Osman Erug, former undersecretary in the ministry of foreign
affairs will be presidential spokesman and will also have the duty of
coordinator in the negotiation team. Mr Eroglu will be heading the
team.

Moreover, Volkan writes that Mr Eroglu will go to Ankara on the 13th of
May and added that the schedule of his visit will be determined in the
coming days.

The Secretary General of the National Unity Party (UBP) Irsen Kucuk has
become the leader of the UBP. The UBPs 8th Extraordinary Congress was
held this morning. Mr Kucuk was the only candidate for the post which
was emptied after the election of Dervis Eroglu as President. President
Dervis Eroglu also attended the congress.

In his address to the congress, Irsen Kucuk said it is the most sacred
task of his 34 years of political career to be a candidate of a party
like the National Unity Party. He also said that his party will
continue to work for the development of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus following the Local elections to be held on the 27th of
June.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Mr Kucuk said a strong TRNC [the
breakaway regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus] is the sine qua non
of the National Unity Party and only a strong structure can lead to a
lasting and mutually acceptable solution in Cyprus.

Another speech was delivered by President Dervis Eroglu who said he is
very excited and proud of attending the UBP congress as a president
which he headed for many years. Mr Eroglu began his speech by reading a
poem marking the Mothers Day.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.05.10) reports
that speaking to illegal Bayrak television, the new Turkish Cypriot
leader, Dervis Eroglu, stated that he will assign the duty of forming a
government to the party that holds the majority of sits at the
self-styled parliament. He also stated that he will hold meetings with
all the political parties which have sits in the assembly. Mr Eroglu
also said that the party that will be assigned with the duty of forming
a government, will proceed forming a coalition government.

(CS)

[03] Self-styled parliament speaker to attend an OIC meeting in
Istanbul; Ozgurgun to address a conference in Istanbul

Illegal Bayrak television (09.05.10) broadcast the following:

The Speaker of the Republics Assembly Hasan Bozer has left the Republic
for Istanbul to attend a meeting of the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC). Mr Bozer is attending the meeting as guest of the
Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mehmet Ali Sahin and the
Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. He is expected to
return to the Republic on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun
also left the republic for Istanbul where he will attend a conference
at the Kadir Has University. Mr Ozgurgun will deliver an opening speech
at the conference entitled The importance of civil society and
communication in overcoming the prejudices in EU-Turkey relations.

According to the Foreign Ministry Statement, Mr Ozgurgun will also
inaugurate a photograph exhibition entitled The 50th years of Turkish
Grand National Assembly at the Kadir Has University. As part of his
contacts, Mr Ozgurgun will give interviews to some Turkish TV
channels.

Moreover, The second extraordinary meeting of the Parliamentary Union
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-member states
(PUOICM) will be held in Istanbul on May 10. Turkey's Parliament
Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin will preside the meeting at Istanbul's Conrad
Hotel. Israel's damaging the holy structure of Jerusalem by opening new
settlement units will top the agenda of the meeting. Parliament
speakers from 14 countries, deputy parliament speakers from 6 countries
and parliamentarians from 8 countries will be in attendance at the
meeting.

Parliament Speaker Sahin, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Parliamentary Union of the OIC Secretary General Mahmut Erol Kilic and
OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu will make opening remarks of
the meeting.Established in 1969, OIC is an international organization
with 57 member states from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia,
Caucasus, Balkans, and South America. The Parliamentary Union of the
OIC member states was established in Iran in 1999 and its headquarters
is situated in Tehran.

[04] Talat says he is not leaving politics, but he is not considering
of returning to the CTP

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.05.10) reports that
former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he is not
leaving politics and he is ready to offer his services to the
community. In his first interview with the illegal TAK news agency
after the presidential elections, Mr Talat said he has a responsibility
towards the 43% who voted for him in the elections and added: I want to
contribute to the solution process. I have been carrying out my duty
impartially for five years. I am not considering of the presidency of
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) or to act within the party.

Mr Talat noted that the propaganda of various circles that there will
be no solution in the Cyprus talks has been a decisive factor for the
result of the 18 April elections and added that the one who had
psychological advantage and lead the non-solution won the elections. He
claimed that the statements made by the Greek Cypriot side that there
was no progress in the negotiations were among the reasons of his
defeat in the elections.

Mr Talat alleged that propaganda based on lies was conducted during the
election period and the election results showed that this was
especially influential within the settlers from Turkey. He especially
referred to the propaganda regarding his statement that he cried at the
night of the declaration of the breakaway regime. He noted that this
seems to have influenced the Turkish settlers. It was decisive in
Karpass and Famagusta for example, he added. He said he also could make
propaganda because he had many documents in his hand, but he did not do
it as he believed that his views would lead him to victory. Responding
to a question, Mr Talat said the fact that the CTP lost the
parliamentary elections which were held one year before the
presidential elections contributed to his defeat, but he could not say
how much. He also said the propaganda that the Turkish settlers would
go back to Turkey if a solution is found was an absolute lie, because
these people would benefit the most from a possible solution. However,
he noted, this propaganda was influential.

Referring to the letter which the Turkish Cypriot leader has sent to
the UN Secretary-General, Mr Talat said:

The letter he sent to the UN Secretary-General is a version of the
letter which I had sent. References are made to the UN parameters, to
the agreements we made. We have to wait and see. However, no one should
forget the following: It would not be correct to say that what is said
during the election campaign remains there. If Eroglu had said that
Talat cannot do this job, I can negotiate better, I would understand
it. However, he said that I would take back what Talat gave away, he
opposed to the agreements, he said to us you sell us of, you gave
concessions. He said he could change the UN parameters. In this
situation, now he should keep his promise and take back what I gave
away. Let him do this, let him keep his promise and I will be the first
who will applaud him. However, if he is going to follow the road I
followed, then where is sincerity? ...

(I/Ts.)

[05] Rauf Denktas says Turkey influenced the Turkish settlers in the
occupied areas of Cyprus to vote yes in the referendum for the Annan
Plan

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.05.10) reports that Rauf
Denktas, former Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the illegal
Turkish settlers, who had come to the island and were given the
citizenship of the breakaway regime, have contributed a lot in the yes
vote of the Turkish side during the referendum for the Annan Plan. In
an interview with Havadis, Mr Denktas noted that the percentage of the
votes of the Turkish settlers in the 65% yes votes in the referendum
was 30%.

Mr Denktas said: The result was like that when Turkey used its
influence and the people who came here from Turkey and to whom we gave
the citizenship voted because Turkey wanted it. They are 30% within the
65% of those who said yes

Mr Denktas expressed his sorrow because, as he alleged, the people was
deceived before the referendum for the Annan Plan. He noted that Mr
Talat was saying to the people that if they voted yes, the TRNC,
breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, would
be recognized.

Referring to the results of the recent presidential elections, Mr
Denktas said that those who support their state won. He noted that when
the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat started the negotiations he
gave the massage that he could abandon the state and said he did not
want separate sovereignty.

Referring to Tahsin Ertugruloglu, candidate in the illegal presidential
elections and former MP with the National Unity Party (UBP), Mr Denktas
said he told to Ertugruloglu that he is a candidate whom he could
easily vote, but when he found out that Ertugruloglu asked in writing
from the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Erolgu to promise him that he
would become prime minister in case he wins the elections, he advised
him not to do it because he would help Talat. Mr Denktas said that Mr
Ertugruloglu told him that he would meet with the Turkish President Gul
and do whatever he says. Mr Denktas added that he does not know what
Gul said to Ertugruloglu.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Invitation to Huseyin Ozgurgun to visit Australia and to the
illegal regime to open a representation office there

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.05.10) reported that the
self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun, met on
Friday with the chairman of the Turkish Businessmen Union of Australia
and director of the Commonwealth Bank, Huseyin Mustafa.

Huseyin Ozgurgun affirmed illegal regimes desire to exert efforts in
order to foster their relations, while described this attempt as part
of illegal regimes policy.

On his part, Huseyin Mustafa noted that after the Turkish Cypriot
community in the UK, the expats Turkish Cypriots who live in Australia
are the second largest Turkish Cypriot community abroad and said that
the voice of the Turkish Cypriots expats has started to be heard in
several platforms. He went on and asked from the illegal regime to
support their activities, as well as to open of a representation office
in Australia. Huseyin Mustafa has finally invited Mr Ozgurgun to visit
Australia, noting that such a visit will strengthen the moral of the
Turkish Cypriots.

According to the paper, Huseyin Ozgurgun has accepted the invitation to
visit Australia, but the time of the visit is not yet known.

Under the title Playback time, Turkish Cypriot weekend Cyprus Today
newspaper (08.05.10) reported the following:

David and Linda Orams breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as the TRNC
government finally paid initial court costs of £750,000, following
their landmark property battle.

The first tranche of cash was due three months ago, and the couples
£500,000 UK home was under threat while it was unpaid.

But Finance Minister Ersin Tatar confirmed yesterday that the money had
been released from a holding account at the TRNC offices in London.

It means the Oramses home in Hove, Sussex, is safe for now.

But it could still be sold from under their feet if the next round of
money for lawyers fees, which could exceed £2 million, is not paid.

The couple will learn the exact figure on June 19 and may challenge the
amount at Londons High Court.

Mrs Orams told Cyprus Today yesterday: David and I feel the same it is
just sinking in and it is a weight off our minds. We will look closely
at the next amount and may contest it.

The costs are for lawyers who represented Greek Cypriot Meletis
Apostolides in south Cyprus and the UK.

Mr Apostolides won a case against the Oramses to reclaim land on which
their Lapta [occupied Lapithos] home is built.

In March this year, he gained a holding order on the couples UK home,
meaning he could sell the house and take the proceeds at any time.

Yesterday, Mrs Orams revealed the couple were themselves out of pocket
to the tune of £250,000 after losing their villa, forking out for some
of their own legal costs and being forced to give away or sell
possessions at a low price.

And their battle is still not over; their application to demolish their
villa, as ordered by the Court of Appeal in January this year, has been
rejected by TRNC planners.

Mrs Orams said: The next battle on our hands will be what happens to
our house in the TRNC. We cannot demolish it, we do not know what will
happen it will be decided in court.

People think that this case is all over, but it is a long way from over
and I can see it going on for another year.

Speaking of their loss, she added: I have been angry, but I try to
channel it in to fighting this. We have had our bad moments; it was
horrible having the charge put on our house. We have lived in the house
for 17 years and to think that it could be taken from you is a horrible
feeling.

I still love it here [in the TRNC] and will keep coming back. We have
wonderful friends here and it is lovely coming back to see them.

Mr Talat has expressed his disappointment over the cost of the case to
the TRNC. He confirmed an additional £700,000 had been earmarked for
outstanding legal fees for Mr Apostolides, along with around £500,000
or pay the Oramses legal costs.

The Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports Kemal Durust has
evaluated his contacts in Ankara at a press conference. He gave news
that according to the protocol signed between Turkey and the TRNC four
new schools will be built in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
with funding provided from Turkey. The Turkish National Education
Ministry will also donate six hundred computers to schools in the
Republic in order to better develop technology in schools.

Mr Durust added that during their contacts in Ankara they had invited
some private teaching establishments to the TRNC with the hope of
reaching their aim to bring 50 thousand students to TRNC universities
this year. Durust also gave the good news that from now on textbooks
will be given to secondary schools for free. Previously on primary
school students and middle school students were given free text books.

The Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports Kemal Durust has
met with his Turkish counterpart Nimet Cubukcu in Ankara. The education
system in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was the main topic of
the meeting at the Turkish Parliament.

During the meeting, Cubukcu pointed out that the TRNC has the necessary
characteristics to become an island of education and voiced her
countrys readiness to do its best to help improve the economy in the
Republic further.

On his part, Durust announced that two nursery schools, one in Iskele
[occupied Trikomo] and the other in Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou] will be
built with the contributions of Turkey within the additional protocol
signed between the two countries.

Meanwhile, a cooperation protocol has been signed between Turkeys Gazi
University and the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.05.10) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) has become a full member of
the European Small Business Alliance (ESBA). Salih Celiker, member of
the administrative council of the KTTO, was elected unanimously in the
administrative council of ESBA on 5 May 2010 during the second annual
general assembly of ESBA held in Brussels with the participation of
delegations from Britain, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Finland,
Croatia, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Sweden, Greece and the occupied areas of
Cyprus.

The paper writes that the KTTO is also member of the International
Chamber of Commerce and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(10.05.10), the KTTO will celebrate the Day of Europe with a meeting
and a reception which will start at 18.00 o clock today. The Turkish
Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, the so-called ambassador of Turkey to
the occupied part of Lefkosia, Sakir Fakili, the self-styled minister
of economy and energy, Sunat Atun, and many foreign diplomats will
participate in the reception.

(I/Ts.)

[10] The chairman of the Foreign Press Union, Fevzi Tanpinar, is
visiting FYROM

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (09.05.10) reports that the
chairman of the Foreign Press Union, Fevzi Tanpinar, went to the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Saturday upon an invitation
of the Union of Turkish Journalists of Macedonia.

According to the paper, Mr Tanpinar will give a speech in a conference
which will be organized on the developments in the Cyprus problem. Mr
Tanpinar will also hold other contacts. He will return to occupied
Cyprus on Wednesday.

(CS)

[11] The illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines cannot even pay the salaries
of their employees

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.05.10) reports that Turkish
Technics Company, which offers ground services to the illegal Turkish
Cypriot Airlines (KTHY), has confiscated 700 thousand dollars which the
KTHY had in its bank account in Turkiye Is Bankasi in return of KTHYs
12-million US dollar credit. The debt of the KTHY increased from 10
million to 12 million US dollars.

According to statements made by the chairman of the administrative
council of the company, Erol Atakan, the KTHY cannot pay their dept,
closed their account in the Turkiye Is Bankasi and try to open an
account with other banks. The paper notes that the company cannot pay
the salaries of its employees. Mr Atakan said that they need two and a
half million Turkish liras (TL) for paying the salaries. He noted that
the confiscated 700 million US dollars correspond to one million TL.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Zorlu states that the Turkish occupation armed forces in Cyprus
are ready to provide any kind of support to the Turkish Cypriots

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.05.10) reported that a
military delegation headed by the Lieutenant General of the occupation
army in Cyprus, Hilmi Akin Zorlu, paid a visit on Friday to the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

In his statements, Dervis Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots need to
be supported by the Turkish occupation army. On his part, Gen. Zorlu
said that the Turkish armed forces are ready to provide any kind of
support to the Turkish Cypriots.

(ML)

[13] Alvaro de Soto said that the referendum day for Annan plan was the
saddest day in his career

Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (09.05.10) reports that former UN
Secretary-Generals Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, who is
currently in Turkey and will be a visiting lecturer to Bahcesehir
University, made statements to Sabah regarding the Annan plan.

Replying to the question why he thinks that the Annan plan was
unsuccessful, Mr de Soto said: The Annan Plan was so complicated as the
Cyprus problem itself. We tried to prepare a balanced plan by melting
in a pot both sides desires and dreams. Our biggest enemy was the time.
Although we were forced to solve the problem prior to EUs enlargement
wave in 2004, the interruption of the process several times and the
change of the leaders from both sides during the process prevented it
to reach a success. Mr de Soto also said that the vote of the Greek
Cypriots was influenced because their leaders had not explained
objectively the Annan plans content to the people. Finally, he
confessed that the day on which the Greek Cypriots voted no for the
Annan plan was the saddest day in the 25 years of his career.

The European Union is preparing to tell Turkey that it welcomes the
constitutional amendments that were recently approved after fierce
debates in the Turkish Parliament on Monday when Turkish and European
authorities meet at the 48th EU-Turkey Association Council in Brussels.
Brussels will endorse the heatedly debated constitutional amendments,
arguing that the revision will improve the lives of Turkish citizens.

While the 18-page document obtained by Sunday's Zaman welcomes the
constitutional amendments, which were opposed by all three opposition
parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), it calls on both
the opposition and the government to engage in a constructive
discussion. Officially called the 48th Meeting of the EU-Turkey
Association Council-Position of the European Union, the document
applauds the cancellation of the Protocol on Cooperation for Security
and Public Order (EMASYA), which allowed military operations and
intelligence gathering in cities without the approval of the civilian
administration. Critical of the military's influence over politics, the
EU calls on senior military personnel not to speak publicly beyond
their remit, particularly on domestic and foreign policies.

The EU-Turkey Association Council is the highest institutional
decision-making body between Turkey and the EU. The common position of
the EU is finalized only after all the 27 member countries agree on the
wording.

The EU expresses its discontent on Cyprus and calls once more on Turkey
to ratify the Ankara protocol, which calls for allowing Greek Cypriot
planes and ships to enter Turkish waters and airspace. Ankara refuses
to do so, stressing that the EU has not fulfilled its promise to end
the isolation of Turkish Cypriots after Turks overwhelmingly endorsed
the Annan plan back in April 2004.Brussels welcomes the positive steps
taken regarding the Kurdish issue but urges Ankara to take further
steps. "Corruption is still widespread," according to Brussels, and
swift implementation of the fight against corruption is very
important.The following are excerpts from the document:

Constitution: The EU welcomes in particular the willingness of the
government to proceed with a package of constitutional reforms, which
were presented to Parliament on March 22. A revised Constitution is
needed in Turkey to allow for a number of key reforms --which aim at
enhancing democratic standards, human rights and the rule of law, thus
improving the daily life of Turkish citizens. The EU is pleased that
this objective is broadly accepted today within Turkish society and
over major parts of the political spectrum. However, given the crucial
importance of these reforms for the future of the country and its EU
perspective, the EU stresses the importance of a broadest possible
consultation, involving all political parties and civil society, in a
spirit of dialogue and compromise, in order to achieve the aims of
constitutional reform. In this context, the EU encourages the
government and the opposition to engage in constructive discussions.

Foreign policy: Turkey is an important regional player, inter alia, for
security in the Middle East and the Southern Caucasus and plays a key
role in energy supply and the promotion of dialogue between
civilizations. As regards the normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia, the EU encourages Turkey to remain committed to the
process of normalization and calls on both countries to continue their
dialogue and remain committed to the process of normalization without
preconditions and in a reasonable timeframe.

Cyprus: The EU notes with deep regret that Turkey, despite repeated
calls, continues refusing to fulfil its obligation of full
non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the
Association Agreement. In the absence of progress on this issue, the EU
will maintain its measures from 2006, which will have a continuous
effect on the overall progress in the negotiations. Furthermore, Turkey
has not made progress towards normalization of its relations with the
Republic of Cyprus. The EU will continue to closely follow and review
progress made on the issues covered by the declaration of the European
Community and its Member States of September 21, 2005, in accordance
with its conclusions of December 11, 2006. Progress is now expected
without further delay.

Kurdish issue: The EU welcomes the removal of all restrictions to
broadcast in the Kurdish language by private and public channels at the
local and national level. The EU also welcomes the lifting of all
restrictions on the use of languages other than Turkish in election
campaigns. The EU encourages Turkey to take further measures to enhance
cultural rights in practice, and lift remaining restrictions, in
particular as regards the use of languages other than Turkish in
political life and when accessing public services. The EU encourages
Turkey to intensify its efforts to enhance tolerance or promote
inclusiveness vis-à-vis minorities. Action is also needed to resolve
problems encountered by the Greek minority, in particular as regards
education and property rights. The EU welcomes the efforts undertaken
by the Turkish government as regards the Roma population, in particular
the Roma summit that took place in March; the EU invites the Turkish
authorities to address the housing, education, health and employment
issues the Roma population is faced with.

Civilian-military relations: The EU welcomes the cancellation of the
EMASYA protocol. Senior members of the armed forces should refrain from
making statements on issues going beyond their remit as concerns both
domestic and foreign policy. Full civilian supervisory functions and
parliamentary oversight of defence expenditure need to be guaranteed.

President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had
talks this weekend with a number of top leaders from Turkey's Middle
Eastern neighbours, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

President Gul and his spouse, Hayrunnisa Gul, hosted the Syrian
president and his spouse, Esma al-Assad, at a breakfast at the Tarabya
presidential palace. Prime Minister Erdogan also attended the
breakfast. In addition, Gul also separately met with Iranian Parliament
Speaker Ali Larijani, Iraqi government spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh and
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at Tarabya Palace later
in the afternoon.

In addition, the prime minister met with Assad at Ciragan Palace and
al-Thani at Dolmabahce Palace. Erdogan also hosted a working lunch for
Assad, al-Thani and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin
Jabr al-Thani. Later in the day, Erdogan met with al-Dabbagh at his
office in Dolmabahce Palace.

Assad, on a two-day visit to Istanbul, and Gul held a joint press
conference on Saturday during which Gul said Syria had indicated it is
ready to resume talks where they had left off; however, they had not
yet heard from the Israeli side. It is up to them, he added. Gul said
Turkey would like to help contribute to the peace process for the
stability and welfare of the region. Israel and Syria held four
indirect rounds of talks with Turkish mediation in 2008.

Those were suspended after the Israeli incursion into Gaza in December
2008 and January 2009. Gul later hosted a dinner for the Syrian
president and his spouse on a boat in the Bosporus, which was closed to
the press.

Noting that the basis of Turkish-Syrian relations was very healthy, Gul
said the reciprocal elimination of visa requirements and easier customs
operations was a sign of the fast-improving relations between the two
countries. Turkey and Syria have developed their relations not only in
the political sphere, but also in the spheres of education, culture,
tourism and communication, Gul said. He also added that the visit of
his valuable friend Assad had carried relations one step further.

Speaking alongside Gul, Assad said he was ready for talks but he
accused Israel of avoiding negotiations, saying it did not want a
resolution in the fight over the Golan Heights, territory Israel
captured in 1967. Israel is not ready for mediation because it knows
that successful mediation will bring peace, and the Israeli side does
not want peace. We emphasize mediation and Turkeys role, but we also
say Israel is not an honest partner, he said.

Assad also said Turkey could play a part in negotiations between Iran
and Western powers over its nuclear program. I want Turkey to continue
its important role because a trust has formed between the Iranian and
Turkish governments and Turkey has good relations with the rest of the
region, he said.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.05.10) reported the following from
Ankara:

The constitutional amendment law, adopted by the Turkish parliament on
Thursday, was submitted to the presidential office on Friday. Turkish
Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin signed the constitutional amendment
law and sent to the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Under the
Constitution, President Abdullah Gul has 15 days to scrutinize the law
to ratify or send it back to the parliament. If the president does not
return the constitutional amendment law, the law will be published in
the Official Gazette and then be put on referendum since the entire
package received votes more than 330 but less than 367.

The Turkish parliament early on Friday adopted the constitutional
amendment law in the final voting of the package as a whole. The
package, except the rejected article 8th over dissolution of political
parties and a related provisional article, was adopted by 336 votes in
favour and 72 against. The constitutional amendment law foresees
changes to structure of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Board
of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). It abolishes the provisional article
15 of the constitution which does not allow trial of the members of the
National Security Council formed after a coup in 1980. The law also
abolishes the ban on right to general strike; paves the way for a
citizen to become a member of more than one union, and the civil
servants and other public officials the right to collective bargaining.
It also paves the way for trial of parliament speaker, chief of general
staff, and senior commanders by the High Tribunal on charges of crimes
they commit regarding their positions.

[17] Solution process in Cyprus should pick up from where Talat left
off

Under the above title, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (09.05.10)
published the following article by Levent Koker:

While Turkey has been busy dealing with the constitutional amendment
package, which will clearly occupy the domestic political agenda for
some time to come, the potential consequences of the presidential
elections in Cyprus have fallen short of attracting the publics
attention.

But solving the Cyprus problem is one of the most critical issues in
preserving Turkeys European Union membership perspective and enabling
the process to continue. In this respect, the potential of the
EU-member Greek administration to impair the process and Turkeys
failure to open its air and sea ports to this state, which is an issue
that is brought up every year, are important points that need to be
remembered. It is evident that the moral superiority that Cypriot Turks
have because two-thirds of them voted in the affirmative in the
referendum on the Annan plan has not really changed the situation. It
is for this reason that a solution in Cyprus is at least as critical as
democratizing the Constitution.

Mehmet Ali Talat, who became the president in 2005 by winning 55
percent of the vote, lost in the April 18 elections. Talat, who
represents a perspective that can be encapsulated in the slogan
Solution and European Union, won 43 percent of the vote while his
rival, National Unity Party (UBP) leader Dervis Eroglu, won a little
over 50 percent and became the new president. These results can be
assessed from various perspectives. According to one view, these
results attest to the failure of policies enacted by Talat. As for the
reason Talat failed, it was because he did not present alternative
plans on what he would do if a compromise could not be reached with the
Greek side. This situation further consolidated the position of the
Greek side, which already has the upper hand because it is an EU
member, and made Talat seem as though he was constantly making
concessions. An example of this is his approval of a single sovereignty
in a federal (united) Cyprus state, whereas now, if Eroglu sits at the
negotiation table with an alternative plan or plans and gives the
impression that a solution is not an absolute must, then he will have a
stronger position. According to this same view, if negotiations and the
solution process are temporarily postponed, then everything is on
track, and independently from the solution process, the administration
should concentrate on solving northern Cyprus socio-economic problems.
In brief, there is an attempt to develop an approach that says: Finding
a solution is not very important. Let us focus on our responsibilities
in the North.

This approach is not compatible with the approach Turkey adopted
immediately after the 2002 elections, which brought the Justice and
Development Party (AK Party) to power. The AK Partys approach on the
Cyprus issue discredits the deadlock is a solution attitude in favour
of a we will always be a step ahead of the Greeks attitude. As for the
political tradition Eroglu comes from, it seeks to predicate the
solution process in Cyprus on the existence of two separate and
sovereign states. This attitude, which can be identified with Rauf
Denktas, sees the yes vote on the Annan plan, which foresaw a
federation in Cyprus, as almost treachery and dreams of a confederation
between two independent states. The purpose behind this is to make the
division on the island official. This formality could be called a
confederation or a loose federation --it is not too important what it
is called. If this is not possible, then the quest for ways to convince
the international community to accept the current condition should be
pursued with determination.

Subtitle: Waiting on May 26

We will have the opportunity to see whether Eroglu will maintain this
policy during the negotiation process in his first meeting, to be held
on May 26. It will also shortly become clear whether the AK Party will
preserve its 2002 perspective on the Cyprus problem or if it has
adopted a new approach and whether this new approach includes a policy
that is warm toward the idea of recognizing a two-state solution. Could
Turkey be planning on using its importance, which it reckons has
increased in international relations with the positive impetus of its
active foreign policy approach --which became more distinct with
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu-- to support a change in attitude on
the Cyprus problem? This is not yet clear. Could the criticism of
choosing the 600,000-populated southern Cyprus over the
70-million-strong Turkey, which has been directed at the EU from time
to time, be voiced a bit more strongly? Could the moral strength that
comes from the Cypriot Turks being the side that wants a solution and
the importance which Turkey believes it has gained in its new foreign
policy strategy support this power? The answers to these questions
remain unclear.

Nevertheless, limiting the solution process in Cyprus to the need to
affirm the current situation (a deadlock is a solution) or to the
notion that the way to a solution passes through accepting the
existence of two separate people and two separate sovereign states (a
two nation-state loose federation or a confederation) actually means
not solving the problem. It is important to bear in mind that the
Cyprus problem is an outcome of the nationalist conspiracy that was
created under Cold War conditions in the 1950s, which led to the
fragmentation of the island between Cypriot Turks and Cypriot Greeks.
The chief architects of this conspiracy were American and British
forces, which reckoned that the island as a whole was susceptible to
Soviet influence and that this would undermine NATO. The actors in this
conspiracy can be identified as Greek fascists and the Turkish Gladio.
Due to this historical development, a final solution in Cyprus cannot
be a solution that perpetuates this division, which is the outcome of a
conspiracy. To the contrary, a final solution to the Cyprus problem
will require a close federation as envisioned in the Annan plan.

It is for this reason that an agreement between Talat and Republic of
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias on at least a federal state that
has a single sovereignty and a single international identity is a
remarkable improvement. Continuing the process on the basis of this
agreement will keep hopes for a final solution alive. Will Eroglu, who
noted in a letter to the UN Secretary-General that he intended to
pursue the process within UN parameters, support the idea of a federal
union? Will the AK Party, which is known for supporting Talat, continue
this line? Will the Greek side see Eroglus election as a new boon for
Turkish nationalism and opt to continue searching for a solution from
the place they left off with Talat instead of prolonging the solution
process? I am hopeful that we are at the brink of a period in which we
will be able to respond positively to these three questions.

Following are the summaries of reports and commentaries of selected
items from the Turkish Press on 07, 08 and 09 May 2010:

a) Erdogan's upcoming visit to Greece:

Viewing Prime Minister Erdogan's upcoming visit to Greece in an article
in Hurriyet Daily News (08.05.10), Cengiz Aktar hopes that "steps will
be taken toward a durable peace and non-aggression treaty to slash the
defence expenditures of both countries." Enumerating the endless
advantages of transforming the Aegean Sea into a peaceful inner sea,
Aktar says that the biggest contribution Turkey can make to Greece is a
permanent reduction in military expenditures, a contribution that will
also benefit Turkey, which was forced to create the Aegean Army in the
aftermath of the Cyprus intervention.

b) Turkey's EU accession process:

Ambassador Marc Pierini, head of the delegation of the European Union
to Turkey, views Turkey's accession process in an article in Hurriyet
Daily News (08.05.10), underlining that the driving force of the
accession is the alignment of Turkish legislation with EU standards.
Detailing the progress made in the accession negotiations, Pierini
explains the reasons for some of the hesitations amongst the EU's
political circles to Turkey's membership.

c) Constitutional amendments:

A report entitled "Constitutional marathon over, all eyes on
President's office" in Milliyet (07.05.10) says that the bill on
constitutional amendments tabled by the ruling Justice and Development
Party (AKP) was yesterday ratified by the Turkish Parliaments by 336
votes in favour. It notes that the bill will put to a referendum toward
the end of July if it is approved by President Abdullah Gul within 15
days.

In an article entitled "If the opposition is not manipulated by the
Prime Minister," Hurriyet columnist Mehmet M. Yilmaz (07.05.10) says
that the bill on constitutional amendments will be put to a referendum
if something unexpected does not happen. Pointing out that the
opposition parties have formed a strong alliance against the amendments
and can defeat the AKP if they can turn the referendum into a vote of
confidence for the government, Yilmaz adds: "If, however, they permit
the Prime Minister to set the agenda as they did in the past, we can
predict that they will lose. Meanwhile, the government's defeat in the
vote of confidence would certainly lead to an early election."

Analyzing motives behind the bill on constitutional amendments ratified
by the Turkish Parliament yesterday in an article entitled "Just like a
frog," Hurriyet Daily News columnist Yusuf Kanli (07.05.10) accuses the
ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, of pursuing salami tactics
aimed at establishing an Islamist autocracy to replace the secular
system. He comments: "Once the current package is approved in a
national referendum later this summer, the country will start
discussing the merits of moving from the multi-party parliamentary
governance to a presidential system. Most probably, the AKP will build
its 2011 election campaign on the need for Turkey to write a totally
new constitution and move to presidential governance in August 2012
when it elects a new president."

In an article entitled "A referendum on 11 or 18 July," Radikal
columnist Ismet Berkan (07.05.10) predicts that a referendum will be
held on 11 July or 18 July if the bill is signed into a law by
President Gul. He also notes that there are uncertainties about the
fate of the bill due to the possibility that the CHP will apply to the
Constitutional Court for the annulment of the amendments. He comments:
"Eleven judges of the Constitutional Court will face a conflict of
interest because they will share their powers with new members to be
appointed if the constitutional amendments come into force which will
also mean that they will relinquish a part of their powers. This tells
us that the date of the referendum is known but whether or not it will
be held looks uncertain."

Under the banner headline, "Nation's turn to speak," Yeni Safak
(07.05.10) publishes a front-page report which says that the
constitutional amendment package prepared by the ruling AKP was adopted
as a whole by Parliament late last night. According to the report, if
the president approves the package, a referendum will be called where
"the people will go to the polling stations to consign some 24 articles
of the current constitution prepared by the architects of the 12
September coup to the dustbin of history."

In an article entitled "The mishap could prove beneficial", Zaman
columnist Mustafa Unal (07.05.10) asserts that the voting down of the
proposed amendment governing political party closures was a "mishap"
caused by some AKP deputies' refusal to vote for the amendment as a
result of "propaganda" to the effect that the proposed change would
enable political parties that are "extensions of separatist violence"
to avoid being banned. He also asserts that the rejection of the said
proposal is in the AKP's interests because it means that the backbone
of the CHP's argument for filing an appeal with the Constitutional
Court against the reform package has been effectively destroyed.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has begun preparations for a
referendum on the constitutional amendment package and the estimation
is that the referendum will be held towards the end of July, writes
Fikret Bila in an article in Milliyet (08.05.10). Pointing out,
however, that the timetable might change since the Republican People's
Party (CHP) will be applying to the Constitutional Court on the issue
and will be seeking a stay of execution, Bila explains that if the
Court grants the CHP request for a stay of execution then the package
timetable might come to a halt until a court decision is made on the
essence of the package. Noting that CHP constitutional experts are in
the process of preparing the application requesting the annulment of
the package, Bila goes onto detail the arguments the CHP will be using
to prove that the amendment package is incompatible with the
Constitution.

In an article in Referans (08.05.10), Cengiz Candar argues that the
Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Erdogan are partly responsible
for the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) boycott of the voting regarding
the constitutional amendment article on the closure of parties, adding
that, however, the BDP is equally responsible for undermining the
democratization process in the country through that boycott. Referring
to Abdullah Ocalan's instructions regarding the article on the closure
of parties, Candar says that the BDP is nothing but a "tool' for
Imrali. The writer argues that with the exception of democrats in
Turkey no one views the BDP as legitimate, adding that the BDP cannot
realize its desire to be a "party of Turkey" by distancing itself from
the democrats who have been exerting efforts to legitimize the BDP
despite the risks involved.

According to Sabah columnist Nazli Ilicak (08.05.10), the AKP has
emerged victorious from the first round of the constitutional amendment
package struggle. Describing the second round as the Constitutional
Court hurdle, Ilicak argues that one cannot be so sure that the Court
will grant the CHP's request for a stay of execution, warning the CHP
not to be so sure of the outcome. The two-month referendum timetable
will go into effect after the president endorses the amendment package
law, writes Ilicak, wondering whether the Constitutional Court decision
will come after the referendum and, if so, whether the Court can rule
the opposite of what the nation has decided.

The constitutional amendment package is aimed at changing the system in
the country, according to Taraf columnist Ahmet Altan (08.05.10), who
argues that even the most conservative elements cannot defend the
system which the writer describes as anachronistic and directed against
the people. No one is openly opposing the amendments, explains Altan in
his article, accusing the system of playing a cunning game by pushing
the amendment package aside and placing the AKP at the centre of the
discussions and arguing that "anything that is in the interest of the
AKP is evil." Conceding that the AKP has many shortcomings, Altan fails
to understand how they are connected with the amendments that are in
the interests of the people. Asking whether there is any other party
that wishes to change the Constitution, the essence of the system, and
the structure of the state and that has the power to implement these
wishes, Altan, having answered his own rhetorical question in the
negative, argues that the mentality that one has to oppose every change
initiated by the AKP because it is viewed as an "evil party" is
faulty.

In an article entitled "MHP-BDP-CHP Alliance: Whose last recourse is
this?", Yeni Safak columnist Yasin Aktay (08.05.10) cites the "defence
reflexes of the status quo" as the factor that prompted the "alliance"
between the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) the
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)
against the constitutional amendment package. He asserts that the said
parties' behaviour during the parliamentary vote on the reform package
demonstrated what a potent move the Government had made in drawing up
the package in the sense that the initiative to change the Constitution
forced these parties to reveal the coalition amongst one another that
they had taken pains to keep secret until then. He also claims that the
BDP's stance on the package has established that this party is entirely
pleased with the tendency to "ethnic denial" or "discriminatory
nationalism" that informs establishment policies.

In an article entitled "AKP-PKK hand in hand?", Vakit columnist Serdar
Arseven (08.05.10) describes the passage of the constitutional
amendment package as a major blow to the Ergenekon network and predicts
that Ergenekon will have to go increasingly underground from now on. He
accuses Ergenekon of staging the latest terrorist attacks on Turkish
soldiers and claims that this organization is "supporting its
extensions in Parliament by massacring Turkish troops." He also asserts
that the results of the parliamentary vote on the reform package have
given the lie to allegations of AKP-PKK cooperation in changing the
Constitution.

In an article entitled "They should not apply to the Constitutional
Court before the referendum," Milli Gazete columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan
(09.05.10) advises the CHP against submitting an application to the
Constitutional Court for the annulment of a bill on constitutional
amendments if it is approved by President Abdullah Gul because it would
mean that the CHP does not respect people's decision about the
amendments.